Ignacio de Loyola: hacia una nueva espiritualidad

Abstract

Ignatius of Loyola: towards a new spirituality

In this study, we consider the novel contribution that Ignatius of Loyola made to spirituality and western culture in the 16th century with the Spiritual Exercises. To previous lines of research, which have developed a rich panorama on originality, rupture and continuity with the old spirituality, this work seeks to incorporate a more detailed analysis of the novelty, that is, the spiritual process that is presented and three underlying areas: the verticality of God, always greater, through the beginning («Principle and Foundation»), and the end («Contemplation to achieve love») of the Exercises; the exercise of freedom in four moments or weeks and, finally, the experience of the being attracted in love. Analysis of these aspects brings us to conclude that the Ignatian originality, or “new spirituality”, resides in the layout of the text as the spiritual proposal, and in the method that follows it.